Tangled Affections

45.

Becky's POV

As we stepped into the house, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. It was enormous—much larger than any place I had ever seen, let alone lived in. The floors were polished marble that gleamed under the soft lighting, and the walls were adorned with paintings and photographs that spoke of a life filled with comfort and love. I tried not to let my awe show, but it was hard not to be amazed by the grandeur of it all. Every corner of the house was meticulously decorated, each piece of furniture carefully chosen, from the plush sofas in the living room to the ornate vases lining the hallways. It felt like stepping into a different world—one of luxury and warmth.

Rose led me to the dining hall, which was just as lavish. The long wooden table was covered with a white linen cloth, and it was filled with food that looked like it belonged in a magazine. There were bowls of steaming rice, plates of roasted vegetables, grilled chicken, fresh salads, and a variety of desserts. My mouth watered just looking at it. I hadn't realized how hungry I was until that moment.

But then, as I glanced around, I saw her—my mother. She was sitting at the far end of the table, her eyes fixed on me. My stomach twisted, and suddenly I wasn't hungry anymore. I couldn't bring myself to meet her gaze. It felt like every ounce of courage drained from my body. I knew she wanted to speak to me, but I couldn't. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

The weight of my past pressed down on me, and I felt like a child again, lost and abandoned. I knew that everyone else was expecting some kind of reunion or emotional exchange, but I wasn't ready for that. My feet felt glued to the floor, and my heart pounded in my chest. She's just a stranger who left me behind, I reminded myself, trying to steady my breathing.

"Becky, sweetheart," my mother's voice came softly, almost hesitant. "Can we talk, just for a moment?"

I froze, my eyes still refusing to look at her. My voice was stuck in my throat, and I could feel the panic rising in my chest. I took a small step back, my gaze shifting to Rose, silently pleading for her to understand.

Rose quickly picked up on my unease. "Uh, Mom, maybe later," she interjected with a forced smile, trying to keep the atmosphere light. "We're a bit tired from the day, you know?"

I could sense the disappointment in my mother's eyes, but I couldn't let myself care. She'd made her choices, and I had made mine—to survive without her. I gave a curt nod and followed Rose, who gently took my hand and led me away from the dining hall.

Upstairs in Rose's Room

Rose led me up a winding staircase to a large, spacious room that was filled with natural light. It had two beds neatly made on opposite sides, with a shared space in the middle that had a fluffy carpet and a small coffee table. The walls were a soft pastel color, and there were posters of pop bands and some framed pictures on the wall. It was cozy, unlike the rest of the house, which was almost too perfect. This felt more lived in, more real.

"Welcome to our room!" Rose said with a grin, spreading her arms wide. "I thought we could share. You know, get to know each other better."

I nodded, taking it all in. Sharing a room was something I'd never really done, at least not like this. It was... nice. It felt like an invitation into her life, into her world.

"Thanks, Rose. It's... nice," I murmured, still feeling a bit awkward. "It's been a while since I've had a space that's mine."

She smiled and plopped down on one of the beds, patting the space next to her. "Come, sit. We need to talk more, don't we? We have so much to catch up on!"

I hesitated for a moment before sitting beside her. She started talking, asking questions about my favorite things—movies, books, music. I answered honestly but cautiously, not wanting to give away too much too soon.

"Do you have any hobbies?" Rose asked, her tone light. "I used to dance a bit, but now I'm more into painting. It's calming, you know?"

I chuckled softly. "I've never really had the chance to try things like that. I read a lot, though. It's my escape from... reality, I guess."

Rose nodded understandingly. "That's nice. I should show you some of my paintings. I bet we could even find a new hobby to try together! What do you think?"

I smiled at her enthusiasm. "Maybe," I said. "I'd like that."

We talked like that for a while, sharing small things about ourselves. It was... comfortable. Until the conversation drifted toward Freen.

"So, what's your favorite place on campus?" Rose asked casually, but I could see her tensing up slightly. "Do you and Freen hang out anywhere special?"

I noticed the shift in her tone, and my stomach tightened. I could feel the discomfort radiating off her as soon as Freen's name was mentioned. I quickly changed the subject, not wanting to stir any tension. "Uh, yeah, there are a few places, but it's getting late, isn't it? We should probably get some sleep."

Rose hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah, you're right. It's been a long day."

As we got into our beds, Rose didn't go to her own. Instead, she slipped into mine, curling up beside me. "I'm sorry if I've been a little too much today," she whispered. "I just really want us to be close."

I was surprised at first but then felt something warm spread through me—a kind of reassurance that I hadn't felt in years. I nodded, letting myself relax against her. "It's okay, Rose. I want that too... just give me some time, okay?"

She wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into a soft embrace. "Take all the time you need, sis. I'm here for you."

I hadn't expected to feel this way, but as I lay there with Rose holding me, I felt something like peace. It was different from being with Freen—Freen was my safe place, my anchor. But with Rose, it was... warm, like finding something I didn't know I was missing. Maybe it was family. Maybe it was something more. Whatever it was, I knew I was ready to explore it.

As I drifted off to sleep, I felt a little less alone. For the first time in a long time, I allowed myself to hope that maybe, just maybe, this could be the start of something better.

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